Miami Dolphins

GAINESVILLE (CBSMiami) – The Seattle Seahawks lost its defensive coordinator Thursday morning. By Thursday afternoon, the Seahawks had filled that position by stealing a key member of Will Muschamp’s staff at the University of Florida.

Seattle hired Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to take over a defense that was one of the best in the NFL last season. Quinn will be working under another former college coach in Seattle, head coach Pete Carroll.

Quinn was the defensive line coach in Seattle in 2009 and 2010 before taking over Muschamp’s defense at UF. While at Florida, UF ranked eighth in total defense in 2011 and fifth in 2012 under Quinn. Last season, the Gators allowed only 286.7 yards of total offense and 14.5 points per game.

Quinn’s defense was one of the only ones last season to completely shut down Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel. The Gators held Manziel to just 173 yards passing and 60 yards rushing in a September game.

Seattle’s defense ranked first in the league in points allowed and fourth in the league in yards allowed, according to pro-football-reference.com.

Florida may not be the only SEC East school looking for a defensive coordinator at the end of the day. Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is being pursued to take the same position with the Philadelphia Eagles.